Student and Parent Handbook Harris Park Elementary 2020-2021 Harris Park Elementary Student and Parent Handbook, 2020-2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS THE LEADER IN ME 6 REGULAR SCHOOL HOURS 6 REGISTRATION 6 Required Documentation 6 TIPS FOR SUCCESS AT HARRIS PARK 7 COMMUNICATION 7 Teacher Communication 7 School and Principal Communication 7 District Communication 7 CONDUCT 7 Creating a Community of Kindness 7 General Expectations for Behavior 8 We are STAR★s at Harris Park! 8 We are STAR★s in the Classroom! 8 We are STAR★s at Recess! 8 HEALTH PRECAUTIONS 9 Temperature Checks 9 Symptomatic at School 9 Social Distancing 9 Cohorts 9 Masks 9 Types of Masks 9 Proper Wear of Masks 10 Designated Door / Area 10 Handwashing 10 Restrooms 10 Water Fountains 10 Drinking Water Throughout the Day 10 Lunch 10 Specials 10 ATTENDANCE 11 Policy 11 Tardy Policy 11 Absences 11 Excused Absences 11 Unexcused absences 12 Questions and Answers about Attendance 12 TRANSPORTATION 12 Self Transportation 12 School Bus 12 STUDENT ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL 12 Playground and Field 13 Before Coming to School 13 Hug Zones and Adults on Campus 13 Drop-Off and Pick-Up Information 13 Drop-Off, Front of the School (by the flagpole) 13 Drop-Off, Back of the School (by the playground) 14 1 Harris Park Elementary Student and Parent Handbook, 2020-2021 Pick-Up, Front of the School (by the flagpole) 14 Pick-Up, Back of the School (by the playground) 14 Walking Children Up to the School 14 Preschool Arrival and Dismissal 15 Kindergarten Arrival and Dismissal 15 Cohorts Entering and Exiting the Building 15 Inclement Weather 15 Emergency Remote Learning 15 Please note 15 Early Dismissal 16 SUPPLIES and MATERIALS 16 TECHNOLOGY 16 Chromebooks 16 Chromebook Use Agreement 16 Internet Access 16 Internet Safety 17 CELEBRATIONS 17 Attendance 17 Birthdays 17 Level Up 17 Reading and Math Goal Work Celebration 17 STAR★ Cards 17 STAR★ UPs 17 ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS 17 ITEMS TO KEEP AT HOME 17 MEDICATIONS AT SCHOOL 18 SAFETY DRILLS 18 PARENT INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES 18 STUDENT LED PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES 18 VOLUNTEERS and VISITORS 19 COMPETENCY BASED SYSTEM - CBS 19 Learning is the Constant 19 Time is the Variable 19 Personalized Delivery 19 Systemic and Systematic in Nature 20 Level Changes 20 ADVANCED 20 SCHOOL CLOSURES, DELAYS, EARLY RELEASE and REMOTE LEARNING 20 Web Site 20 Television and Radio Stations 20 Automated Calls 20 Television Channels 20 Radio 20 School closure 21 Delayed start 21 Early Release Days 21 2 Harris Park Elementary Student and Parent Handbook, 2020-2021 Nancy Richey Principal Harris Park Elementary School 4300 W 75th Ave Westminster, CO 80030 303-657-3848 [email protected] Dear Harris Park Families, Welcome! We are committed to ensuring an outstanding education, and fostering a positive attitude for lifelong learning in each of our students. Our shared vision is to develop happy lifelong learners who are positive and passionate in every way. We strive for each of our students to believe in their genius as they positively contribute to their community. At Harris Park, we celebrate and emphasize STAR★ character (Safety, Teamwork, Attitude, Respect, and ★Responsibility) and academic UP (Understanding and Performance) achievements. As a Leader in Me school, we develop leaders through our focus on The Leader in Me program designed to teach students Steven Covey’s 7 Habits of ​ ​ ​ Highly Effective People. Students will participate in student-led conferences and have learning portfolios where they track ​ their academic improvement, set goals, and reflect on their progress. We value our partnership with our Harris Park Families. You are your child’s first and most important teacher. Your support and partnership are critical for maximizing your child’s success in school. Students are not asked to complete “homework” at ​ Harris Park. We team with students to personalize “goal work” for them to practice at home. Engaging in their nightly goal work will help each student meet their learning goals so they can mark off learning targets, and ultimately level up. Nightly reading will be assigned according to student needs. Additionally (pun intended), look for math flashcards or math fact cards. Encouraging your child to complete their nightly goal work is appreciated. Teachers will reach out to you to let you ​ know how they will communicate with you. Students and their families can monitor academic progress, current areas of study, and assignments through EMPOWER. You will receive a weekly Sunday evening phone call and email from the school. It is also a good idea to regularly check the Harris Park website. You can find current information as well as links and resources for our families. I look forward to working with each of you this year! With love, Nancy Richey Principal 3 Harris Park Elementary Student and Parent Handbook, 2020-2021 Student and Parent Handbook THE LEADER IN ME Harris Park is a Grant Awarded Leader In Me school! Each new school year brings opportunities for academic growth and growth in all areas of development. Although children must be knowledgeable when they graduate, they must also be healthy, engaged, responsible, and caring people. The Leader In Me provides our school with the vision and language to address all areas of development. As each child discovers and develops his or her unique gifts and talents, they are given opportunities to lead. As leaders, they become active, engaged partners in their own education and their self-confidence, responsibility, and initiative grows. Children at Harris Park quickly understand the benefits of different gifts and talents; they learn to listen to new ideas, work together to achieve results, and motivate one another to be their best. We enjoy sharing these leadership and growth opportunities. Together, we will watch each and every child grow throughout the year. For more information on The Leader In Me, visit, www.TheLeaderinMe.org ​ REGULAR SCHOOL HOURS ● Office Hours: 7:00 am - 3:30 pm ● Preschool Hours: 8:15 am - 2:45 pm ● Grades K-5 Hours: 8:00 am - 3:05 pm Students arriving after 8:00 are tardy. If a student is late to school, please have the student wait with you in your car or by the flagpole, call the school for an appointed time to enter the school. Do not just come to the door; entry will not be allowed without a call. Free breakfast is served to ALL students in the classroom at 8:00 am. We ask that complete the Free and Reduced Meal Benefit Application each fall so we can maintain this grant. Please make sure the office has current contact numbers where you can be reached in case of an emergency. REGISTRATION Olr.westminsterpublicschools.org Required Documentation ● State Issued Birth Certificate (students must be 5 years old before October 1st to attend Kindergarten) ● Immunization Record ○ Grades K-5: 5 DTaP, 4 Polio, 3 HEP B, 2 MMR, 2 Varicella ○ Preschool: 4 DTap, 3 Polio, 3/2/1 HIB, 1 MMR, 3 HEP B, 1 Varicella, PVC 4/3/2 depending on students st age when the 1 ​ dose was administered ​ 4 Harris Park Elementary Student and Parent Handbook, 2020-2021 ● Proof of Residency ○ Driver’s License, Utility Bill, Lease or Rent Receipt ○ Grades 1-5 we will need the previous school name and address to request records. It is very important we have a minimum of two emergency contact phone numbers and addresses, in the event that we cannot reach the parents. TIPS FOR SUCCESS AT HARRIS PARK ● Attend school every day, arrive on time, and stay for the entire day. ● Be prepared! Have the materials you need and be prepared to learn! ● Pay attention (with your eyes and your body position) to your teachers as they are here to help you learn. ● Understand and follow all school expectations at all times. ● SMILE, BE KIND, and HAVE FUN! We want you to learn and we want you to have fun doing so. COMMUNICATION Partnering with families is a treasured component of our school community, and a vital component in developing a successful learning environment. WPS provides an Alert-Now communication tool that allows us to contact you about important events or emergency situations through an automated phone call and email. Make sure that we have your current phone numbers and email addresses as we use the information in this database to contact you. This tool allows us to be able to reach all of our families in 20 minutes or less. Teacher Communication Teachers will utilize a communication system on a regular basis, such as class dojo or a weekly newsletter, to partner with families and communicate how children are doing in school. Teachers will send home an information page that will include their chosen system of communication with you during the first week of school. School and Principal Communication Families will receive a weekly communication via phone call and email on Sundays at 6pm. A minimum of one video conversation with the principal will be scheduled per month, likely via zoom. Harris Park will have a web page with current, up to date, COVID-19 information and a link to the district page www.harr.westminsterpublicschools.org. ​ ​ District Communication Protocols will be established and implemented with appropriate district personnel. CONDUCT The District’s Students Rights and Responsibility Handbook will be followed and consistently enforced by administration. 5 Harris Park Elementary Student and Parent Handbook, 2020-2021 Creating a Community of Kindness Harris Park Elementary is committed to fostering a culture of kindness. We continuously strive to support diversity and promote acceptance of all students within our educational community. All of our students are exploring who they are as individuals, and we encourage all of our students to be kind and welcoming individuals.